I want to start off by saying thank you. You were my safe haven and the only place I wanted to escape to when the world around me felt like it was crumbling into tiny little pieces. I could be having the worst day and walk through your doors and feel like all my worries would just melt away after a few minutes on your wooden floors. That is something that I will never be able to fully express just how thankful I am for.
You were there for me when I put in late nights and early mornings, always waiting with arms open wide to accept me into the place I often deemed as my second home. I will always remember all the amazing dances I learned, the crazy costumes that made the day we received them feel better than Christmas morning, and most importantly all the teachers who made every second of hard work worth it once we stepped out onto that stage.
You not only fueled my love for dance, but for music as well. I can no longer listen to the radio without automatically counting out an 8 count to whatever song is playing or thinking "this would be perfect for a tap song". I can't listen to a song without picturing where I could see a turns section or a kickline going and I've always blamed you for that.
I also want to take the chance to say I'm sorry. I feel like I abandoned you when I graduated and moved on to college. I had to find a new escape now that I can no longer turn to you and it hasn't been easy.
I miss dancing on a daily basis. I miss using the excuse "I can't. I have dance class," every night because that was where I always was. I miss all the glitter and rhinestones and I really miss all the people you brought into my life.
I miss the girls who became more like sisters than just friends and who I would spend every weeknight with for hours on end. I miss the instructors who always pushed us to go above and beyond what we thought we were capable of. I miss the pre-show jitters, our prayer circle before going on stage for the first time and the high I felt after finishing a show.
But most importantly, I miss you. I miss all these incredible memories that you held for me and I wish I could rewind time and take it all in once more. I took you for granted and never fully appreciated you while I was there. I thought I would always have you in my life, but unfortunately life doesn't stop moving just because you beg it to.
You're not supposed to dwell on the past, but there are times where I think of you and I just can't help it. You were my life for so many years and all I really thought about. I slept, breathed, and lived dance all thanks to you. I will always be grateful for the life lessons you taught me and the memories I now hold dear to my heart. So thank you for everything.
With Much Love,
A Retired Dancer
